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Milliard arraigned on new charges

RIDGWAY - New charges, including multiple drug offenses and illegal possession of firearms, have been filed against Francis Anthony Milliard, 54, of Ridgway, currently incarcerated on arson and related charges in connection with two residential fires in Elk County, as well as charges of attempted murder and assault stemming from Milliard's alleged beating of a Ridgway man. Milliard was arraigned on the new charges in a closed courtroom following the conclusion of his preliminary hearing Wednesday in which District Judge George A. "Tony" King upheld those charges against Milliard in three separate cases surrounding a Dec. 8, 2008 arson at 115 First Ave. in Johnsonburg, a May 30, 2012 arson at 521 West Main St. in Ridgway, and the June 23, 2011 assault of Todd Asti, 44, of Ridgway, over an alleged drug debt.Among the new charges levied against Milliard are two counts of person(s) not to possess/use/manufacture, control, sell, or transfer firearms, a felony of the second degree. The charge comes in the wake of law enforcement officials executing a search warrant at Milliard's 76 Long Level Rd. home on Aug. 10, during which firearms as well as approximately 1,135 rounds of assorted ammunition were seized. According to the affidavit, the firearms seized included a Beretta Tomcat 32 automatic pistol and a Stevens Model 820 B Shotgun. The affidavit goes on to state that a criminal history check showed Milliard to be a convicted felon with previous convictions for burglary and CSDDCA violations, offenses which prohibit him from possessing firearms in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Milliard has also been charged with violations of the Drug, Device, and Cosmetics Act following the discovery of a marijuana plant growing on his property, as well as large quantities of packaged marijuana and assorted paraphernalia in his home.